Fact-Checked: Why Trust Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima Award-Winning Cincinnati Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
Last updated on May 11, 2026
In both Ohio and Kentucky, owners have strict liability when their dogs bite someone. There is no second chance. When a dog bites, even if it is that dog’s first bite, the owner is responsible. If you were bitten by a dog, you need experienced legal counsel.
Many people are hesitant to report a dog bite or make a claim for the injuries. But the injuries are often serious – facial scarring, nerve damage, infection, psychological damage – and require careful and often extensive medical and psychological treatment. If you have questions about dog bites and dog bite liability, contact the personal injury attorneys at the Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima law firm. We have five offices throughout the Cincinnati metro in southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky.
IMPORTANT: Please refer to the dog as a “mixed breed” because several insurance policies have exclusions for dogs such as Rottweilers, Pitbulls, Chows, etc. The reality is that most dogs are not full bred and the burden falls on the insurance company to prove the dog is excluded under the policy.
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Why Choose Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima For Your Cincinnati Dog Bite Injury Claim
Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima brings a strong record of results and deep experience handling injury cases. Our approach focuses on protecting the client’s recovery while building a claim that reflects the full impact of the injury. Key strengths that set the firm apart include:
- More than 200 years of combined legal experience across the team
- A history of securing multiple multimillion-dollar settlements
- Recognition for trial readiness and consistent client advocacy
- A focused approach to personal injury cases, including dog bite claims
These factors matter when dealing with insurance companies that try to reduce payouts or deny claims. Having a firm with proven results helps level the playing field and ensures the case is handled with precision from the start.
Understanding Ohio’s “Strict Liability” Dog Bite Laws
Ohio law makes it easier for victims to recover compensation after a dog bite. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 955.28, a dog owner is held strictly liable when their dog injures someone. This means the victim does not need to prove the owner acted carelessly or that the dog had a history of aggression.
The victim can pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering without having to show negligence. Ohio does not follow the “one-bite rule” for basic compensation, so even a first-time incident can lead to liability.
Strict liability covers standard damages tied to the injury itself. However, if the victim wants to pursue punitive damages, they may need to file a separate negligence claim. This requires showing the owner knew the dog was dangerous or failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harm.
What Should You Do Immediately After A Dog Bite In Cincinnati?
Acting quickly helps preserve evidence and ensures compliance with local reporting requirements. Here is a clear step-by-step guide to follow:
- Seek medical care: Immediate treatment is critical to prevent infection and assess the severity of the injury. Victims can visit facilities like UC Medical Center or Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for pediatric cases.
- Report the incident: Contact the Cincinnati Health Department at 513-352-2922. Reporting is required to monitor potential rabies exposure and document the event officially.
- Identify the owner: Obtain the dog owner’s name, contact details and insurance information. This is essential for filing a claim later.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the injuries, the location and any visible hazards. Visual evidence can strengthen the case significantly.
- Preserve physical evidence: Keep the clothing and personal items worn during the attack without washing them. These items can be important evidence later.
- Avoid speaking to insurance adjusters alone: Insurance companies may reach out quickly. Avoid giving recorded statements or accepting settlements before understanding your rights.
- Talk to an experienced attorney: Legal guidance early on helps avoid mistakes that could weaken the claim and ensures deadlines are met.
Following these steps creates a strong foundation for recovery and legal action. Missing even one step can make it harder to prove what happened or who is responsible.
$7,500,000
Dog Bite Bench Verdict
After a little girl was mauled by two pit bulls and had to undergo dozens of facial reconstruction surgeries, we represented her mother in a lawsuit against the dogs’ owner. The offense was so heinous that the overseeing Judge quickly awarded $7.5 million to the girl and her mother.
Who Is Liable For Your Injuries?
Liability in dog bite cases is not always limited to the dog’s owner. Ohio law allows claims against several parties depending on the circumstances of the incident. Potentially responsible parties include:
- Keepers and harborers: A keeper is someone who has physical control of the dog at the time of the incident, while a harborer is someone who provides shelter or allows the dog to stay on their property. For example, if a friend was watching the dog or a neighbor regularly cared for it, they could be held responsible even if they are not the legal owner. Courts often look at who had control over the dog at the time of the bite.
- Landlords: In certain situations, a landlord can be held liable if they knew a dangerous dog was living on the property and failed to take reasonable steps to address the risk. This usually applies when the landlord had prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive behavior and still allowed the tenant to keep it.
- Parents of a minor owner: If the dog’s legal owner is under 18, the responsibility may shift to the child’s parents or legal guardians. Ohio law recognizes that minors cannot always be held fully accountable, so parents may be required to pay for damages caused by their minor’s dog.
- Business owners or property managers: If the attack happens on commercial property, such as an apartment complex or business location, the property manager or business owner may share liability.
- Dog walkers or pet sitters: Individuals hired to walk or care for a dog may also be liable if they fail to control the animal properly.
Determining liability involves looking at control, knowledge and responsibility at the time of the incident. In some cases, more than one party shares responsibility, which can impact how the claim is structured.
Are Dog Bite Injuries Covered By Homeowners Insurance In Ohio?
If you were an invited guest in a friend’s home and if the dog bit your child, you should make a premises liability claim. That is why the homeowner has insurance. Insurance is how we meet our obligations to others if we cause injury.
The personal injury lawyers at our law firm are available to talk to you about your rights in a consultation if you or a loved one was the victim of a dog bite. Whether it was a small puppy or a large dog, you have a right to compensation. If you were a passerby, a guest in the home, a mail carrier or delivery person, or a worker in the home, you have the right to compensation.
Request A Free Consultation With A Dog Bite Attorney
Contact us for a consultation about dog bite injuries and your rights. Please call or send us an email. We represent injured people in Butler, Warren and Hamilton counties and the surrounding communities.
